Find out how popular the last name Yoshino is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Yoshino.

Yoshino, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Yoshino surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yoshino in America

Yoshino is the 37735th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yoshino surname appeared 589 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Yoshino.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yoshino to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Yoshino

The surname Yoshino originates from Japan, particularly during the Heian period (794-1185). The name is strongly associated with the Yoshino region, a mountainous area in Nara Prefecture, which has been historically important for its natural beauty and religious significance. The name Yoshino is derived from two kanji characters: 吉 (yoshi), meaning "lucky" or "fortunate," and 野 (no), meaning "field" or "plain."

The earliest references to the name Yoshino can be found in ancient Japanese texts such as the Nihon Shoki, one of Japan's oldest historical records completed in 720 AD. The name was often used to denote people who came from or lived in the Yoshino region. The Yoshino region itself was renowned during this time for its cherry blossoms, which have been celebrated in Japanese poetry and literature for centuries.

One of the earliest documented figures with the surname Yoshino was Yoshino Michimasa, a courtier during the late Heian period. Born in 1093 and passing in 1155, Michimasa served under several emperors and was noted for his administrative skills and military prowess. Records from this period often mention him as a prominent figure in the imperial court.

Moving into the feudal era, Yoshino Kenji (1318-1366) emerges as a significant historical figure. Kenji was a samurai warrior who played a crucial role in the Kenmu Restoration, which aimed to restore imperial rule in Japan. His leadership and strategic mind were essential in several military campaigns, earning him recognition and respect among his peers.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), the surname Yoshino continued to be prominent. Yoshino Genzaburo (1624-1690) was a scholar and poet whose works contributed significantly to Japanese literature. Genzaburo's poetry, often inspired by the natural beauty of the Yoshino region, was widely acclaimed and preserved in various anthologies of the time.

In the Meiji era (1868-1912), Yoshino Sakuzo (1878-1933) emerged as an influential political scientist and historian. He was a prominent advocate for democratic principles and played a key role in shaping modern Japanese political thought. Sakuzo's writings and lectures left a lasting impact on the intellectual landscape of Japan during a period of significant transformation.

Another notable figure is Yoshino Hiroshi (1919-1994), a respected botanist known for his extensive research on the flora of the Yoshino region. His work has been foundational in the study of Japanese plant life and has contributed to the preservation of the area's natural heritage.

Throughout history, the name Yoshino has been carried by influential individuals who have contributed to various facets of Japanese culture, politics, and science. The surname remains a symbol of the rich heritage and natural beauty associated with the Yoshino region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yoshino

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Yoshino.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Yoshino was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Yoshino has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Yoshino was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Yoshino, please contact us.

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